First Aid for Mental Health Training – Introduction
Mental health first aid training teaches people how to recognise and respond to signs of mental health issues and crises in others. This is an increasingly important skill as mental health problems become more prevalent worldwide. Learning mental health first aid allows people to provide initial support until appropriate professional help is available.
First Aid for Mental Health training covers key skills like noticing signs of distress, approaching someone compassionately, actively listening, assessing risk, encouraging professional support, handling emergencies, and practicing self-care. The goal is to give people the knowledge to have supportive conversations, identify issues early, de-escalate crises, and guide others to the right resources.
In this post, we will define what mental health first aid is, explain why training is so vital today, and overview the main topics covered during a course. With the right information and techniques, we can all be better equipped to support each other through mental health challenges.
First Aid for Mental Health Training – Recognising Signs and Symptoms of ill Mental Health
Mental health issues can often go unnoticed, but being able to recognise some common signs and symptoms can help identify when someone may need support. Here are some common mental health issues and what to look out for:
Depression
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
- Withdrawing from social activities
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Changes in sleep patterns and appetite
- Talking about feeling worthless or being a burden
- Having suicidal thoughts
Anxiety
- Excessive feelings of fear, worry, or nervousness
- Panic attacks
- Avoiding situations that cause anxiety
- Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
- Restlessness or trouble relaxing
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Stress
- Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope
- Irritability or moodiness
- Headaches or other physical symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Withdrawing from responsibilities
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope
Grief
- Intense sadness or sorrow
- Focusing on the loss
- Difficulty accepting the loss
- Feeling guilty about being alive
- Lack of trust in others
- Loss of sleep
Being aware of potential red flags like these can help identify when someone may need support with their mental health. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to reach out.
Approaching Someone
Starting a supportive conversation with someone who may be struggling can seem daunting, but showing care and concern can make a big difference. Here are some tips for how to reach out:
- Choose a private, comfortable setting. Don’t put the person on the spot in front of others. Arrange a time to speak in a quiet, private place where you won’t be interrupted or overheard.
- Ask open-ended questions. Avoid closed questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Ask open-ended questions like “How are you feeling lately?” to get the conversation going.
- Listen without judgement. Let them talk without interruption. Don’t offer opinions or advice just yet. Focus on listening and understanding first.
- Express concern and care. Let them know you care about their wellbeing and you want to help. Phrases like “I’ve noticed you seem down lately and I’m concerned” demonstrate support.
- Ask directly about suicide. If you suspect they may be suicidal don’t avoid the subject. Ask “Are you thinking of suicide?” directly but gently.
- Avoid minimising their feelings by saying “it’s not that bad” or “cheer up.” Instead, validate their feelings by saying things like “It sounds like you’re going through a really difficult time.”
- Offer support and encouragement. Remind them that with support, people can and do get through crises like this. Give them hope.
- Suggest talking to a professional. Recommend talking to a counsellor, talking therapist, doctor, or mental health professional who can help. Offer to help them make an appointment or go with them.
The most important things are expressing care, listening without judgement, and encouraging them to seek professional support. With compassion and patience, you can start an important conversation.
First Aid for Mental Health Training – Listening and Reassuring
Start by listening non-judgmentally and validating the person’s feelings. Be patient, compassionate and understanding – avoid trying to “solve” their problems. Let them share as much or as little as they want. Pay close attention to their words, body language and tone. Make eye contact and give them your full focus.
Reflect back what you hear and let them know you’re making an effort to understand their perspective. For example, “It sounds like you’re under a lot of pressure and feeling really stressed out.” Paraphrase to check that you fully grasp what they’re telling you. Ask open-ended questions if you need clarification or more details.
Don’t interrupt or rush the person. Allow them to open up at their own pace. Silences are okay. Provide words of comfort, acknowledge their feelings are valid and let them know you’re glad they reached out for support. Avoid saying things like “You’ll be fine” or “Everything happens for a reason” as these can invalidate their emotions. Rather, offer empathy and validation like “It makes sense you would feel this way” or “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
Reassure them there are people who care and want to help. Remind them of their inner strengths and resilience. Restore hope by pointing out they’ve made it through hard times before. Encourage them to think through next steps, set small goals or find sources of joy each day. Your calm, compassionate presence can make a big difference.
First Aid for Mental Health Training – Assessing Risk
It can be difficult to know if someone is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others. Look for signs like:
- Talking about wanting to die, feeling hopeless, or having no reason to live
- Showing rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge
- Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
- Giving away prized possessions
- Saying goodbye to loved ones
- Making a specific plan to commit suicide
If you notice any of these warning signs, ask the person directly if they are considering harming themselves or others. Do so in a non-judgmental and compassionate way. For example, “It sounds like you are in a lot of pain right now. Are you thinking of hurting yourself?”
If the answer is yes, do not leave the person alone. Call emergency services or a suicide hotline immediately. If you feel the person may be in imminent danger, you may need to call emergency responders even if the person resists. An involuntarily hospitalisation could save their life.
For people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, be alert for signs of self-neglect. Look for unopened mail, piled up trash, soiled clothing, lack of personal hygiene, or signs of malnutrition. Notify social services if you suspect the person can no longer care for themselves safely. Elder abuse is also a possibility, so watch for unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries.
If you ever observe child abuse or neglect, you are required by law to report it to child protective services. Doing so could protect the child from further harm.
First Aid for Mental Health Training – Encouraging Professional Help
Seeking professional help is often an essential part of recovery for mental health conditions, but many hesitate to take that step. As a first aider for mental health, you can play a vital role in overcoming barriers and facilitating treatment.
Recommend that the person speak to their doctor or a mental health professional. Provide information on options like counselling, psychotherapy, medication, support groups, and other therapies proven to help. Discuss the benefits of professional help and reassure them you will support them throughout the process.
Many people may avoid treatment due to stigma. Emphasise that mental health conditions are real medical problems and there should be no shame in seeking help, just as with physical injuries or illnesses.
If they resist due to cost, research affordable options like community health centers, support groups, non-profits, and government programs. Help find a way to make professional help accessible.
Listen compassionately to any other concerns. Recognise that mental health treatment is very personal. Do not force them into anything or make ultimatums. Instead, validate their feelings while continuing to gently persuade and assist. With support, most will voluntarily accept help if given the chance.
Getting adequate mental health care can change lives. As a first aider, you have the opportunity to be a positive influence by promoting professional treatment without judgment or pressure. Your encouragement and reassurance could be exactly what someone needs to take that first step.
First Aid for Mental Health training – What Not to Do
When providing mental health first aid, it’s important not to minimise the person’s problems, give unsolicited advice, or criticise their feelings or actions. Though it may come from a place of wanting to help, comments like “cheer up” or “get over it” can invalidate how they feel. Advice like “you should just exercise more” or “have you tried meditation?” may not actually be helpful at the moment.
Instead, focus on listening openly without judgment, assessing their immediate risk of harm, and guiding them to appropriate professional support. Avoid turning the conversation to yourself or your own struggles. Comments that begin with “I” can accidentally center your experience rather than keeping the focus on their needs.
It’s also best not to promise confidentiality or claim you won’t tell anyone else if they confide they’re considering suicide or self-harm. Your role is to compassionately encourage them to get appropriate help based on the severity of their situation. If you feel they may be at risk of acting on suicidal thoughts, you have an ethical responsibility to involve other care providers even if they ask you not to.
The most important things are to listen, express care and concern, ask directly about suicide or self-harm if you suspect it, and connect them with professional mental health services and resources. Avoid minimising, criticising, or making the conversation about yourself.
First Aid for Mental Health training – Handling Emergencies
Knowing how to recognise and respond to a crisis situation is an essential part of mental health first aid. A mental health crisis may involve thoughts or acts of suicide, self-harm, psychosis, panic attacks, violence or aggression towards others, or other dangerous behaviors. Being prepared and staying calm is key.
If you believe someone is an immediate danger to themselves or others, take these steps:
- Stay with the person. Do not leave them alone.
- Call emergency services for assistance. In many places, you can dial 911 or 112.
- Provide emergency responders with relevant information about the situation when they arrive.
- Keep yourself safe. Do not make any statements or actions that could aggravate the situation.
- Listen and offer support until help arrives.
Getting emergency assistance promptly is vital. Most areas have mobile crisis teams of mental health professionals who can provide on-site stabilization and referrals for follow-up care. These teams may work closely with law enforcement as well.
The goal is to get the person at risk the expert care they need while ensuring everyone’s safety. With the right response, mental health crises can often be resolved and lives can be saved.
Self-Care
It’s important for first aiders to practice self-care so they can continue helping others in need. Providing mental health first aid can take an emotional toll, so set boundaries and know your limits. Learn to recognise signs of stress like irritability, changes in appetite or sleep, or feeling emotionally drained.
Take time for yourself and prioritise your own wellbeing. Do relaxing activities like reading, exercising, or spending time outdoors. Avoid overcommitting yourself. Manage stress through breathing exercises, meditation, or talking to a friend. Seek professional help if you experience emotional difficulties from providing support.
Remember you cannot pour from an empty cup. Recharge so you can keep being a source of help for those struggling. But know it’s also okay to take a step back when you need to focus on your mental health. Setting healthy boundaries allows you to sustainably provide mental health first aid over the long-term.
Additional Resources
First Aid for Mental Health Training Program by Wellbeing in Your Office
- Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health Level 1/4
- First Aid for Mental Health Level 2/5
- Supervising First Aid for Mental Health Level 3/6
- First Aid for Mental Health Annual Refresher
Mental Health Hotlines
- Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline in England HERE (you’ll need to provide your postcode. You may need urgent help for many reasons. The important thing to know is you will not be wasting anyone’s time.
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
Mental Health Organisations in the UK
- MIND Provides education, support and advocacy for people living with mental illness.
- Hub of Hope: UK-wide mental health service database. Lets you search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support.
First Aid for Mental Health Training – Conclusion
In conclusion, first aid for mental health training plays an indispensable role in creating a supportive and understanding environment in workplaces. As awareness around mental health issues increases, recognising the signs of distress and providing timely and compassionate assistance becomes an essential responsibility. Through education and training, you can gain the skills to approach, listen, assess risk, and guide others in need towards professional help.
However, it’s important to remember that mental health first aid is not a replacement for professional therapy but a proactive measure to safeguard and manage mental health crises until professional help can be availed. A Mental Health First Aider can often be the first point of contact for someone struggling, offering them a lifeline, alleviating their immediate pain, and guiding them towards long-term help and support.
A clear map to recognising symptoms and offering assistance, as well as understanding the limitations of mental health first aid, allows for an organic, empathetic response rather than one that is intrusive or inappropriate. Refraining from advice that minimises or judges the individual’s experiences, whilst encouraging them to seek expert help, is fundamental.
Moreover, maintaining personal mental wellbeing is also crucial and should never be undermined. Self-care practices such as setting boundaries, engaging in stress-relieving activities, and seeking professional support when needed help protect mental health first aiders from emotional strain. Only when equipped with robust mental health themselves can they effectively support others in distress.
By fostering a culture of mental health literacy, kindness, and recognition, and providing necessary resources and self-care mechanisms, businesses can ensure a supportive, empathetic environment for all. This not only leads to healthier, happier employees but also stronger, resilient communities ready to help one another in times of need.
Empower Your Team: A Pathway to Mental Well-being and Resilience through First Aid for Mental Health Courses
Are you looking to build a nourishing and supportive work environment? Do you want to equip your team with the understanding and techniques to handle mental health crises? Look no further! At Wellbeing In Your Office, we are passionately dedicated to promoting mental well-being in professional settings.
We invite you to take part in our First Aid for Mental Health courses. Our meticulously designed program will train you and your team to recognise signs of mental distress, engage compassionately, and guide individuals to appropriate professional support.
Act now to ensure the mental health resilience of your workforce. Begin your journey towards a supportive, mentally healthy work culture with our First Aid for Mental Health courses. Get in touch with us at Wellbeing In Your Office today!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general knowledge and educational purposes only. It should not be construed as professional health, legal, or business advice. Readers should always consult with appropriate health professionals, human resource experts, or legal advisors for specific concerns related to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of publication, Wellbeing In Your Office cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes, updates, or revisions of the aforementioned content.